January 30th 2008 10:36 am
Best Stephen King books turned into a movie
All hail to the master of horror.
Not many books translate well to the movie screen, however Stephen King and his assorted bogeymen, villains and everyday Joes have been thrilling us for decades. It does not matter much if you are curled in your favorite chair and reading one of his paperbacks or sitting in a dark movie theater, you can get spooked equally well either way. Here is a list of my favorite Stephen King books that have been adapted for the big screen.
One of my favorite movies of all time based on short story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. In this instance I have seen the movie first and then read the book, however very, very little is lost in translation in the adaptation to the movie screen. A story about inmate Andy Dufresne (played by brilliant Tim Robbins) and his friendship with Ellis Boyd Redding (played by even more brilliant Morgan Freeman) - the life, trails and tribulations at the Shawshank State Prison amazed and thrilled us ever since the movie’s release in 1994.
Ah well it seems Stephen King was not too happy with Kubrick’s vision for his novel the Shining, however I was quite impressed even though Kubrick did apply some poetic license with a number of the details which is quite understandable. But how can you ever forget that river of blood or Jack Nicholson’s infamous Here’s Johnny! It is debatable whether Nicholson was just being Nicholson or he truly is a master of getting into a character be as it may his performance as Jack Torrence was impressive. A cult classic that does not fail to impress even 28 years after it has been filmed.
Another story adapted from the collection of novellas “The Different Seasons” Apt Pupil tells a story of a teenage boy who blackmails his neighbor after finding out he was a Nazi war criminal. Strange relationship develops where the boy and the old man feed off each other with horrible end results. Much darker story beautifully portrayed (if that is possible considering the subject) by Ian McKellen and now late Brad Renfro.
Although Green Mile was published as a serial novel in 6 parts each a thin, short paperback I did not read the book until the last part was published, but I was quickly immersed in the plot. In my opinion even though Stephen King’s touch is recognizable throughout the book, it does present a bit of a different type of work then what we have grown accustomed to expect from King. I mean compare it to the Dark Tower series and well you get the idea. The Green Mile was beautifully adapted to the movie screen and it is no wonder it got all those numerous Oscars.
I got 1408 for Christmas and I still have not gotten to it, although I did read Autopsy Room number 4. I did see the movie and I have to say I do generally enjoy John Cusack movies but honestly this one was a true horror. Not horror in the sense of blood, exploding innards and the bogeyman, but it did give me a glimpse of what hell must look like. And it is nothing like what that old priest in Sunday school described, it is far more sinister and frankly terrifying.
The Mist is the only movie made to Stephen King’s short story that actually has a different ending then the original. And Stephen King actually agreed to it, which was a shock in itself. Not to give too much away for any of you have not read it or see it, the setting is small town in Maine that becomes engulfed in mist after a great storm with monsters lurking in the dark.
Misery is not Stephen King’s best work, nor is Misery the best movie I have ever seen. But who can ever forget that scene when Kathy Bates takes the sledgehammer to James Cann’s feet? Honestly that would scare the living shit out of anybody. An obsessed fan keeps her favorite author captive feeding him painkillers, drugs and as I have already mentioned breaks his feet in the process. I would bet many authors had nightmares after seeing this one and I don’t blame them one bit.
I have to say I do like Anthony Hopkins in almost anything, although he did make a few weird role choices over the years. I have read Hearts in Atlantis and found the DVD by pure chance. I was not disappointed as good portion of the details was not lost in translation. It is a story about a young boy Bobby, who lives with his widowed mother until one summer when an odd lodger enters their lives. A nostalgic story that will take you back to more innocent times although even then there were low-men in yellow coats lurking in the background ready to grab you when you least expect it.
9 Comments »
Richard Madeley on 30 Jan 2008 at 11:34 am #
I recently had a Stephen King season. The highlights were some of the lesser known films and series.
The first half of ‘Desperation’ was really good (I’ll watch Ron Perlman in pretty much anything). The whole of ‘Storm of the Century’ was excellent, as was the TV version of ‘The Stand’. I too enjoyed ‘1408′ (I saw the Directory’s Cut, which is supposed to be better than the theatrical version). ‘Apt Pupil’ was well made but I remember the novella being better.
Then there was ‘It’, which I hadn’t seen. Excellent until the final episode when the special effects let it terribly down.
Since I’m a Kubrick fan, I have always dismissed King’s thoughts about The Shining. That said, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the TV mini series. I can see why he wanted it made. Very different in tone to Kubrick’s version.
Even better, though, was David Cronenberg’s ‘The Dead Zone’ with Chrisopher Walken. The line ‘The missiles are flying. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!’ still haunts me.
bertas on 30 Jan 2008 at 12:27 pm #
Well damn and blast I didnt take you for a Stephen King fan Richard
Jolly good now we have another topic in common 
I do agree with you about It, I liked the book, but the mini series was just ew and not in a good way.
The Apt Pupil - I also thought novella was a bit better because even though the movie was dark, the novella was even more sinister.
I enjoyed the Stand, but havent seen the series yet. I also liked Tommyknockers… both the book and the series… I did see Storm of the century, but since I havent read it I cant really compare. And I think I saw the Dead Zone with Christopher Walken, but that was ages ago I should see it again…
Thanks for the recommendations, it is kind of easy to get sucked into though isnt it?
Especially with the mini series 
Richard Madeley on 30 Jan 2008 at 4:28 pm #
I wouldn’t say I’m a fan. I have read a few of his novels. They are guilty pleasures when I’m in no mood to read anything more meaty. Then again, I’m not one to knock a writer just because he’s popular. King’s prose can sometimes be a bit clunky, but his story telling ability (at least for the first two thirds of a book) are unquestioned. His endings are sometimes a bit of a let down, I find. The Stand was my favourite of his, though I quite enjoyed Cell up to the last 100 pages. His shorter fiction is also really quite good, and I always like the way he actually talks about the craft of writing. Both are quite rare in writers these days. Though, of course, he has the luxury of being Stephen King and has the chance to publish work that other writers would have to give away for nothing.
bertas on 31 Jan 2008 at 2:26 am #
Oh I have a fair few guilty pleasures, but unlike with movies (I’m a horrible movie snob) with books I’m a bit of a book tart, I can read anything…
sure I will discard some books half way through if they are astonishingly bad, but even if it is turdilicious turd I cant help to admire the time and effort someone, anyone has put into it… talent is another thing you either have it or you dont, but really even a celebrity autobiography was ghost written by some poor sap who was trying to shape it into something people will read… it does take dedication and effort and I cant help but admire that
And I agree King’s short fiction is a delight to read…
Richard Madeley on 31 Jan 2008 at 4:57 pm #
You do like the phrase ‘turdilicious turd’. I’ve never heard it before but I think I’ll be dreaming about it…
As for books. At the moment, I’m doing nothing but writing so I don’t get time to read. It’s probably why I try to read something especially good when I get chance.
bertas on 01 Feb 2008 at 4:08 am #
I do have to admit I have been dubbed fisherman’s wife while I was in England… lets just say turdilicious turd is much more polite then what I would usually use
Richard Madeley on 01 Feb 2008 at 10:19 am #
I think the phrase is ‘a tongue like a fishwife’ but I couldn’t imagine that it could refer to you, Bertas. Honestly I can’t.
Polly S on 19 Feb 2008 at 4:14 am #
Liked The Stand - first time I saw Gary Sinese I knew he was Stu. For an author who makes such an impact with his written word, I would say that many of his books > movie ventures have turned out ok. But sometimes you have just gotta leave the words on the page and enjoy it via your own visualisation - and not via some director’s interpretation…
Reading Duma Key now.
bertas on 19 Feb 2008 at 11:10 am #
Polly thank you for the comment.
did turn out ok… as I said I can tend to be a nit picker when it is a book that I have enjoyed reading… that is why I didnt like the last Harry Potter movie, its like they have taken out all the good and important bits and made it into something that was watchable but not great.
Well now that you have told me the Stand is with Gary Sinese I will have to see it…
I do agree with you that most Stephen King movies (well apart from the Landmower man